The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde

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Introduction
Background
Discussion Starters
The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde
 The Importance of Being Earnest:
Introduction

Algernon and Jack may

look like proper young
Victorian gentlemen.

But each
unknown to
the other

is leading a
double life.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

Algernon has invented a sickly friend named

Bunbury.

When Algernon wants to

escape his social obligations
in London, he goes
Bunburying.

That is, he pretends to

visit the ailing Bunbury
in the country.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

Jacks situation is even more complicated.

A wealthy bachelor,
he lives an upright
life in the country.

He wants to set a
proper example for
Cecily, his young
ward.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

But Jack wants to have

some fun too.
So he invents a wild
brother named Ernest.

When Jack wants to go

to London, he pretends
he has to bail Ernest out
of trouble.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

In London, Jack
pretends to be the bad
boy Ernest.

Are you confused yet?

The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

Imagine how Ernests

fiance, Gwendolen,
feels when she learns
he is really someone
else!
The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

Imagine how Cecily feels when she finally

meets the charming Ernest,

but he turns out to be

Ernestsor rather,
Jacksfriend Algernon!
The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

The confusion and misunderstandings are all part

of the fun.

Will Gwendolen marry

Jack even though he is
not Ernest?

Will Algernon win the

hand of the beautiful
Cecily?
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background

Life is far too

important a thing
ever to talk
seriously about.
Oscar Wilde
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background

Oscar Wilde liked to make fun of

upper-class Victorian society.

In this play he pokes fun at

strict Victorian
social rules

the shallowness
of the idle rich
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background

Wilde also pokes a bit of fun at himself.

Like Wilde, Algernon

and Jack are dandies.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background

In Victorian times only men could be dandies.

An authentic dandy

enjoyed fine clothes and

expensive habits

used refined language

spent most of his time

socializing
lived to have fun
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background

A well-bred Victorian woman, on the other hand,

was modest and reserved.

Few kinds of
enjoyment were
open to her
outside the home.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background

Moreover, to achieve the

fashionable 18- to 20-
inch waist,
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background

her corset often was so

tight that she could
barely breathe!
 The Importance of Being Earnest: Discussion
Starters

Discuss (1)

What qualities do you look for in friends and

loved ones?
Which of these standards are truly important?
Which could you let go of for the right person?
 The Importance of Being Earnest: Discussion
Starters

Discuss (2)

What do you do when a social obligation conflicts

with what you really want to do?
Have you ever gotten into a scrape over a
seemingly harmless white lie? How did you resolve
the situation?